Foróige expands Donegal project with new premises

A new era dawned for Foróige on Friday with the official opening of its new premises in Letterkenny and the launch of an expanded Donegal Youth Diversion Project.

Minister of State James Browne TD performed the official opening of the premises at Spencer House on the High Road.

The project aims to educate young people in relation to the consequences of anti-social behaviour and crime in order to prevent them from entering into the criminal justice system.

Young people aged 12-17 can be referred after they have been cautioned for crimes with a large volume linked to drug and alcohol misuse.

“The youth divergence projects are absolutely fantastic,” Minister Browne said. “What they are doing is helping young people who might be going down the wrong path.

“They are helping to put supports in place to get them back onto the right path. What it is doing is making our communities safer.

“I am delighted to see the expansion of the services. Not every young person has a safety net and people here are doing work that is very worthwhile. Sometimes when people are on the wrong path, they stop thinking about tomorrow.

“This will benefit everyone and research shows that it makes a real change in helping young people.”

The Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue TD, hailed the commitment of An Garda Siochana to the project.

He said: “Community policing and youth engagement is massively important. It is all about early intervention and support and working at a community level. That really is what policing is about.”

Former TD and MEP Pat The Cope Gallagher was in attendance alongside the Mayor of Letterkenny, Councillor Donal Kelly and Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh. Church representatives and a large representation of high-ranking Gardai were also present for an event that was MC'd by Lee Gooch.

Claire Gavigan, Foróige's North West Area Manager, who has been involved in youth divergence programmes for almost 23 years, told of the changes she has experienced.

“When I started off we had only one youth justice worker, based in Raphoe, but now we have 11 situated right across Donegal,” she said.

Ms Gavigan said the programmes are designed to have young people 'examine behaviours and make better lifestyle choices', while an early intervention programme, for those aged 8-11, is helping to support school attendance.

PSNI representatives were also present with Foróige's programmes showing a cross-border element in a bid to address cross-border criminality.

Ms Gavigan said: “Young people can now share opinions in forums that weren't previously available. We are blessed to have a strong, committed, passionate team who put young people to the fore.”

Garda Youth Diversion Project Co-ordinator Catriona Boyle spoke of a charity dip in Marble Hill, which saw a group raise €1,100 for aid of Little Blue Heroes. She said: “We're very proud of the lads and what they have achieved. They showed a great civic responsibility.”

Rose Sweeney of the Youth Division in An Garda Siochana said: “This is the reason we do what we do. For young people, life is like a road with twists and turns. At some stage, they will need help and support to get to where they should be.”

Letterkenny-based Garda Superintendent Goretti Sheridan has been involved with youth diversion since joining the force in 1993. Superintendent Sheridan said: “I have seen the impact of these programmes. Young people are a minefield and people can be quick to label them as problems hanging out on street corners. Young people can blossom and be whatever they aspire to be.”

Garda juvenile liaison officer Patrick McGlynn said the programmes were helping to 'steer young people in the right way'.

“Our philosophy is to reject the deed, not the doer,” he said.

Garvin Walker, who works in the Garda Youth Diversion Project, explained how he worked on a bike project in Raphoe, which saw young people recycle old bikes and pass them on for use by those in need.

He said: “It can be difficult work, but it's worth it. Progress comes in small pieces, but it all adds up.”